Private Lake Ontario Fishing Charter - Oswego
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Fullday Lake Ontario charter targeting salmon and trout speciesPrivate boat accommodates up to four guests with expert guidanceAll equipment provided including rods, reels, tackle, and bait
Captain SunMoon has been guiding anglers on Lake Ontario's productive waters for years, and this 10-hour private charter puts you right in the action. Based out of Oswego, NY, we're perfectly positioned to hit the prime salmon and trout fishing zones that make this Great Lake legendary among serious fishermen. Your group of up to four gets the boat to yourselves, which means no rushing, no strangers crowding your lines, and all the time you need to work the best spots. Whether you've been chasing fish for decades or just picked up your first rod, we'll put you on the fish and make sure you walk away with stories worth telling.
We launch early from Oswego Harbor and head straight for where the fish are biting. Lake Ontario changes daily – thermoclines shift, baitfish move, and the salmon and trout follow. That's why having a local captain who reads these waters makes all the difference. Our fully rigged boat comes loaded with downriggers, planer boards, and all the tackle you'll need. No need to bring anything except your fishing license, snacks, and drinks for the day. We run late April through September, hitting the peak migration periods when chinook salmon are pushing in from deep water and steelhead are staging near tributaries. The lake's structure around Oswego – with its drop-offs, temperature breaks, and current seams – creates perfect ambush points for these hard-fighting fish.
We fish Lake Ontario the way it's meant to be fished – trolling with precision. Our boat runs multiple downriggers to get spoons and flasher-fly combos down to the right depth, usually anywhere from 40 to 120 feet depending on where we mark fish on the electronics. We'll set planer boards to spread lines wide and cover more water, especially when targeting scattered coho or browns cruising the thermocline. The gear is all top-shelf stuff – rods with enough backbone to handle a 20-pound chinook but sensitive enough to feel a light-biting steelhead. We adjust our trolling speed constantly, reading the sonar for bait clouds and temperature breaks. When fish are finicky, we slow things down and work smaller spoons. When they're aggressive, we'll pull larger flasher-fly setups and cover ground fast. Every angler gets hands-on instruction, so by the end of the day you'll understand how to read water temperature, why certain lures work at specific depths, and how to play big fish without losing them at the net.
Chinook Salmon are the kings of Lake Ontario, and for good reason. These bruisers average 15-25 pounds but can push 30-plus when conditions are right. They show up in serious numbers from late June through August, staging near river mouths before their spawning runs. When a king hits your line, you know it – the rod doubles over and the drag starts screaming. They fight dirty too, jumping and making long powerful runs that test your gear and patience. The best part about chinook fishing here is the consistency. Oswego sits right in their migration path, so we're rarely scratching around looking for fish.
Coho Salmon bring a different kind of excitement. Smaller than chinook but twice as acrobatic, these 8-12 pound fighters spend more time in the air than in the water once hooked. They show up earlier in the season, with May and June being prime time. Coho love bright spoons and will hit aggressively when you find a school. They're also more likely to be found in the upper water column, especially early morning and late evening when they're chasing bait near the surface.
Brown Trout are the lake's smartest fish and arguably the best eating. These golden beauties are notorious for being picky, often following lures for hundreds of yards before deciding to strike. They average 5-10 pounds but grow much larger in Ontario's rich waters. Browns are most active during spring and fall when water temperatures drop, and they're infamous for hitting just as you're about to call it quits for the day. Their fight is different from salmon – more methodical and stubborn, with powerful head shakes that can throw hooks if you're not careful.
Rainbow Trout and Steelhead are technically the same species, but the ones in Lake Ontario act more like steelhead with their aggressive strikes and aerial displays. These chrome-bright fish average 6-12 pounds and are absolute dynamite on the end of a line. They're most active during cooler months and love structure like drop-offs and underwater points. Steelhead have this habit of making multiple jumps when hooked, often throwing the lure on their third or fourth leap if you don't keep steady pressure. They're also the most likely to hit close to shore, especially during spring when they're following smelt runs into shallow water.
Lake Ontario fishing doesn't wait for anyone, and neither do prime charter dates. This private setup means you're getting personalized attention, the best spots, and all the time needed to make it count. Captain SunMoon knows these waters like his backyard, and that local knowledge is what separates a good day from a great one. We're talking about world-class salmon and trout fishing right here in New York, with the kind of action that keeps anglers coming back season after season. Whether you're planning a guys' trip, teaching the kids to fish, or just need to get away and wet some lines, this charter delivers. Book now and get ready to see why Oswego is considered one of the Great Lakes' top fishing destinations.
The SunMoon is built for serious Lake Ontario fishing. This 28-footer handles the big water with twin 360hp engines that'll get you to the fishing grounds fast, cruising at up to 26 knots. Perfect for up to 4 anglers chasing salmon and trout in Oswego's productive waters. The fish finder helps locate schools while GPS and radar keep you on target even when conditions get murky. Between fishing runs, grab a cold drink from the refrigerator or use the onboard kitchen to prep snacks. The multimedia system keeps things entertaining during longer runs to offshore structure. With a private head onboard and VHF radio for safety, you've got everything needed for those extended 10-hour Lake Ontario trips targeting browns, kings, cohos, rainbows, and steelhead from late April through September.
Tylosurus AcusBrowns are the wary veterans of Lake Ontario, typically running 12-20 inches but capable of reaching 25-plus pounds in these rich waters. They're golden-brown with dark spots and tend to be more cautious than other trout species. You'll find them near structure - rocky drop-offs, weed edges, and around river mouths where they ambush baitfish. They're most active during low-light conditions and cooler months, making fall and early season prime time. What sets them apart is their wariness - they're the hardest to fool but fight with surprising strength for their size. The meat is excellent with a slightly richer flavor than rainbows. My go-to tactic: troll slower than usual and vary your speed - browns often follow lures before striking, and that speed change triggers the bite.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweight champions of Lake Ontario, averaging 15-25 pounds with some pushing 30-plus. These silver-sided giants with blue-green backs and black spots prefer deep, cold water - often 60-100 feet down during summer. They're light-sensitive, so they stay deep during bright days and move shallower at dawn and dusk. Peak season runs May through August when they're feeding heavily on alewives and smelt. Anglers love them for the brutal fights and premium table fare - that rich, red meat is top-shelf eating. They're also the ultimate trophy fish that'll test your tackle and skills. Local secret: run your downriggers just above bottom in 80-120 feet of water off the Oswego River mouth - that's where the big kings cruise looking for easy meals.
Oncorhynchus MykissThese colorful fighters run 8-24 inches and typically weigh 2-8 pounds in Lake Ontario. You'll spot them by that signature pink stripe along their silver sides and black-spotted backs. Rainbows hang in cooler water during summer months, often 30-60 feet down where temperatures stay in the mid-50s to low 60s. They're active from late April through September, with peak action in early morning and evening hours. What makes them special? They're scrappy fighters that jump and run hard when hooked, plus they make excellent table fare with that mild, slightly nutty flavor. My local trick: when trolling, run your spoons just above the thermocline where baitfish concentrate - that's where the rainbows will be feeding.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are basically rainbow trout that live like salmon - they're the same species but these fish are built for speed and power. Running 20-30 inches and often 6-15 pounds, they're more silver and streamlined than their rainbow cousins. In Lake Ontario, they cruise open water chasing baitfish but move to structure near tributaries during spawning runs. Best fishing happens spring through fall, with fantastic action during their spawning migrations. These fish are legendary for their explosive fights - they'll jump, run, and test your drag like no other. The meat is firm and flavorful too. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse them - their mouths are soft and they'll throw the hook if you get too aggressive with the drag.
Oswego, NY